H.R. 8260 — Cardiovascular Disease Early Detection and Prevention Act of 2026

This section states the following congressional findings: (1) cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States; (2) routine cholesterol panels often fail to detect elevated Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) and Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) levels; (3) approximately 1 in 5 Americans have elevated Lp(a) levels; (4) elevated ApoB levels predict cardiovascular risk better than LDL cholesterol alone; and (5) nearly 50% of heart attack survivors die within five years without effective risk management.

This section requires group health plans, group and individual health insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid to cover, without cost sharing, testing for lipoprotein(a) and apolipoprotein B levels (i.e., blood tests measuring cardiovascular risk factors beyond standard cholesterol) for individuals with a family history of premature cardiovascular disease, personal history of myocardial infarction, stroke, or elevated LDL cholesterol, diagnosis of diabetes mellitus or obesity, or other recognized cardiovascular risk factors. Specifically, the section (1) adds the tests to the Public Health Service Act's list of preventive services under Section 2713(a); (2) incorporates the tests into Medicare's preventive services under Social Security Act Section 1861(ww)(1) and excludes them from cost sharing under Section 1833; and (3) makes the tests a mandatory Medicaid benefit under Social Security Act Section 1905(a), exempts them from cost sharing under Sections 1916 and 1916A, and requires their inclusion in benchmark and benchmark-equivalent coverage under Section 1937. The amendments apply to private insurance plan years and Medicare/Medicaid services beginning 180 days after enactment.